ByGarin Pirnia|Mar 26, 2019, 8:00 AM EDT
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Nearly 15 years ago, 13 Going on 30—a body-swapping rom-com in the vein of Big—arrived in theaters and charmed audiences everywhere. The movie revolves around Jenna Rink, a geeky teen who goes to sleep on her 13th birthday in 1987 wishing to be “thirty and flirty and thriving,” and wakes up the next day in her Manhattan apartment all grown up.
Jennifer Garner, in her first lead movie role, played the adult Jenna, who works for troubled fashion magazine Poise. She spends most of the film trying to reconnect with childhood friend/love interest Matt (Mark Ruffalo) and coming to terms with adulthood. Though the film came out the weekend before Mean Girls, it went on to gross $96 million worldwide (which was less than the $129 million Mean Girls earned, but still not too shabby). To celebrate the beloved film’s 15th anniversary, here are some things you might not have known about 13 Going on 30.
1. The studio was worried that director gary winick would turn it into an “art film.”
Director Gary Winick made a name for himself with the 2000 film Tadpole, and became a pioneer of the indie film scene, advocating for digital technology and how it could turn storytellers into bona fide filmmakers. Though his previous work was nothing like 13 Going on 30, Winick told the BBC that it was because of Tadpole that Garner requested to work with him on the project.
“Me and Jennifer said, ‘It’s got to be about something,'” Winick explained. “The studio was concerned that I’d turn it into an art film, and I was like, ‘You can’t turn this into an art film! But I can hopefully elevate it and make it better than it is.'”
2. Jennifer Garner hung out with 13-year-olds to prepare for the role.
The film’s production notes mention how Garner spent time with adolescent girls—including a 12-year-old friend—to get into the teenage mindset. “A kid of 13 can seem like an adult, but that can be deceptive,” she said. “You always have to remember they are also incredibly vulnerable, skittish, and childlike. Finding that balance was challenging.”
3. The “Thriller” dance became a major sticking point.
One of the film’s most memorable scenes involves Garner and Ruffalo’s characters awkwardly recreating the zombie dance from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video—a scene that Winick didn’t quite understand. In an interview with The Telegraph, Winick explained that the studio was adamant that he stage the dance scene. “I kept saying ‘What does that have to with the story?’ and they kept saying ‘We need to put it in the trailers.’ I had to force them to make it work as part of the narrative.”
Ultimately, the dance isn’t in the movie just to be there: Jenna gets her co-workers and friends to dance as a way to save a magazine launch party. “I didn’t want it to feel like a music video,” Winick said in the production notes. “I wanted it to work dramatically. As good as the dancing is, the reason the scene works is because it’s plot-oriented. Jenna is saving the party the way a 13-year-old would, not an adult.”
4. Mark Ruffalo almost turned the part down because of that dance sequence.
In an interview with Blackfilm, Ruffalo admitted that the embarrassment you see on his face in that “Thriller” scene is 100 percent genuine—so much so that he almost turned the movie down because of that single scene. “The dancing was horrible,” he said. “I almost didn’t want to do this movie. I literally read it and I’m like ‘I can’t do this movie. I can’t get up and do those scenes.’ … When [Jennifer] dragged me out [onto the dance floor in the film] she was literally dragging me out. I had hours of rehearsal with a dance coach who taught me how to do all the moves and stuff and still, when we got into actually shooting it and there were 300 extras around, I did not want to do that scene.”
5. It featured some soon-to-be stars (including one Oscar winner).
In the flashback scenes to Jenna as a teen, you might notice a couple of familiar faces playing members of the popular clique known as Six Chicks: Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson and future Oscar-winner/current Captain Marvel Brie Larson.
6. Judy Greer doesn’t think her character was a villain.
Judy Greer plays Lucy, who Jenna knows both as a kid and works with as an adult. Though Lucy manipulates Jenna a lot, both as a teenager and as a thirtysomething, Greer didn’t see her as a villain. “I never consider a character I play a villain, even if they are a villain, ‘cause real villains don’t think, ‘I’m a villain,'” Greer told Today. “They just think what they’re doing is right.” (Though she did say it was fun to play “mean.”)
7. Greer didn’t think the younger version of her looked liked her. But everyone else did.
Alexandra Kyle played the 13-year-old version of Greer’s character, Lucy. When Kyle met Greer’s mom, she said “It’s like seeing my daughter again,” Kyle said in the behind-the-scenes featurette.
“Gary and the producers all thought she looked so much like me, but I think she’s so cute,” Greer said. “They’re like, ‘Did you look just like her when you were her age?’ I was like, no, I looked like a little boy, and she’s gorgeous.”
8. Andy Serkis had to work hard to find his character’s balance.
In the behind-the-scenes featurette, Andy Serkis—who played Richard, Poise’s editor-in-chief—said he had to work to find “that balance between [Richard’s] flamboyant nature and actually keeping the reality of who he is and the stress he’s under.” Serkis said Winick probably got frustrated with him, though.
“He [kept] coming up to me and going, ‘Bring it down, just bring it down,'” Serkis explained of his director’s instructions. “I kind of think I’m doing nothing here and he’s going, ‘bring it down.’ I’m thinking, if I bring it down anymore I’m going to be lying down. Having done Golem for ages, my face has gotten more animated. I make Jim Carrey looked relaxed.”
9. Garner and Winick “had the most successful collaboration possible.”
In 2011, Winick passed away from brain cancer. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly following the director’s passing, Garner shared just how much she loved working with Winick on 13 Going on 30. “Gary and I had the most successful collaboration possible,” she said. “I don’t mean success in terms of box office, or from anyone else’s point of view other than my own. I left it better at what I do.” She also revealed that they planned on working on more projects together, but “didn’t get them done quickly enough.”
10. Jenna had a very expensive lifestyle.
Entertainment Weekly broke down just how much it would cost real-life Jenna and Matt to live in Manhattan, and it turned out to be a pretty tidy sum: Jenna’s Fifth Avenue apartment would cost $5 million, or $10,000 per month to rent. A pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes, of which Jenna has several, cost around $995, and just one Gucci purse goes for $1800. Matt, meanwhile, lives in the West Village. And even though he’s portraying a struggling photographer, he manages to cough up $5000 a month in rent.
11. Ariana Grande watched (and maybe still watches) the film every night.
In November 2018, Grande released the music video for her hit song “thank u, next.” It pays tribute to Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, 13 Going on 30, and Bring It On. In one part of the video, a disheartened Grande—like Jenna Rink—carries the dollhouse Matt built for her. Garner saw the video and complimented the singer on Instagram. “I watched this movie every night before bed growing up (and I still do sometimes, especially when I’m sad),” Grande replied. “And by sometimes, I literally mean every night still.”
Hannah Lux Davis, the video’s director, told Pitchfork that the dollhouse scene was originally going to be in the beginning of the video. “I cut together scenes from the original films to see how the pacing would look,” she said. “[The 13 Going on 30 scene] just wasn’t feeling natural there, but then you get to that third verse when Ariana talks about the wedding and walking down the aisle with her mom. It had a more organic structure that way.”
12. The film is about second chances.
“I chose 13 Going on 30 because it had more substance,” Winick said in the film’s production notes. “It’s about second chances. It’s about getting everything you ever wanted only to realize that none of those things make you happy, and then having a second chance to make the right choices.”
13. Christa B. Allen still gets recognized as Jenna Rink.
Christa B. Allen was just 13 years old when she was hired to play the younger version of Jennifer Garner’s character in 13 Going on 30. It was her first credited role, and she had a lot riding on her shoulders. Though she’s now 27 years old, she recently told Today that she still gets recognized for the film.
“I think because it meant so much to so many people, and it was just such a beloved film, that people are all so excited to see a person that was part of that zeitgeisty moment in the flesh,” Allen said. She also confirmed that she’s looking forward to turning the big 3-0 herself. “People always quote back ‘30 and flirty, and thriving,'” Allen said. “I can’t wait for that to be the theme of my 30th birthday.”
Quiz: Can You Name the Halloween Costume From These Three Clues?
See how many classic costumes you can construct before the clock runs out.
ByNitya Rao|Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT
Anyone can copy a Halloween costume with the right reference photo, but can you assemble one in reverse from just a handful of random accessories? From wand-wielding wizards to iconic movie monsters, someone, somewhere, has worn it all. Now it’s your turn to put your costume designer hat on and see how quickly you can build a costume from three key components and sheer creativity. Put your pop culture memory and Halloween fashion sense to the test below.https://www.sporcle.com/framed/?v=10&pm&gid=41faab33X4&fid=6ae23fc6d6f32
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How did your styling session go? Are you ready to open your Spirit Halloween franchise, or did some of those clues leave you (or at least your hypothetical Halloween Sim) naked and afraid? Whether you nailed every look on the first try or had to call it quits after the third ambiguous cape, challenge a fellow Halloween fanatic to see if they can beat your score!
The Most Popular Halloween Costumes Through the Decades
If piecing together costumes from random props made you realize just how deeply pop culture is embedded in our October traditions, take a look at how Halloween fashion has evolved over the last century (according to The Daily Meal):
1920s: Clowns, Witches & Farmers
As trick-or-treating started gaining traction, homemade costumes like witches, farmers, and the Pierrot clown—complete with iconic black-and-white face paint—became instant classics.
1930s: Mickey & Minnie Mouse
Mass-produced costumes hit the scene thanks to Ben Cooper after landing a major Disney license. Kids could easily transform into Mickey, Minnie, and Snow White in simple slip dresses and rubber masks right alongside traditional ghosts and goblins.
1940s: Witches & Cats
With the rise of pinup culture, classic costumes like witches and cats got a flirty makeover featuring things like fishnet stockings, dark makeup, and shorter hemlines.
1950s: Hula Dancers & Cowboys
Years before Hawaii officially became a U.S. state in 1959, a postwar hyperfixation on all things tiki and luau took over the country. Combined with the massive popularity of Western films, this inspired hibiscus prints, grass skirts, and cowboy hats to join the mix of spookier characters on Halloween night.
1960s: Superheroes
Comic book icons like Superman, Batman, and Catwoman surveyed the streets as rubber masks and capes made cosplaying your favorite crime-fighter easy.
1970s: Peanuts & Star Wars
TV, cartoons, and pop culture ruled the decade, with trick-or-treaters sporting plastic masks and ’70s staples to emulate the Peanuts gang, Star Wars characters, and Charlie’s Angels.
1980s: Elvira & Hulk Hogan
Higher-budget costumes let fans lean hard into pop culture on Halloween, whether channeling vampy Elvira hairdos, Hulk Hogan onesies, or slasher villains like Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers.
1990s: Power Rangers & The Simpsons
The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Simpsons were the easy answers to the group costume dilemma. Think colorful nylon onesies, yellow face paint, and many, many masks.
2000s: Y2K Stars & Harry Potter
Halloween costume inspiration shifted toward real-life Y2K icons like Britney Spears and Michael Jackson, with just as many fantasy favorites like Harry Potter and SpongeBob SquarePants down the block.
2010s: Frozen & Pop Culture
Elsa, Anna, and Marvel heroes reigned supreme amongst the new generation of trick-or-treaters. The digital era also saw the rise of meme costumes and political election outfits featuring even more uncanny valley face masks.
If you love testing your pop culture trivia and Halloween knowledge, check out the Mental Floss quiz page daily for more spooky challenges.
The countdown to Halloween is on, and we’re challenging our readers here at Mental Floss with our Trick or Trivia quiz giveaway. For 13 nights between October 19-31, we’re putting your knowledge of all things spooky to the test. Think you know Halloween? Take at least one quiz and enter to be in the running to win a $200 Barnes & Noble gift card.
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The Artist Who Taught Bob Ross His Famous Painting Technique
Before Bob Ross painted happy little trees, he learned his famous wet-on-wet technique from a German art master.
ByChris Wheatley|Oct 28, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT
One of the undeniably positive effects of the TikTok era is that, through the vague mysteries of the “algorithm,” fresh generations have been introduced to the soothing talents of painter Bob Ross. Born in 1942 in Daytona Beach, Florida, Ross served as a master sergeant in the United States Air Force, but it was later, when he began working as an art tutor, that his passion for painting propelled him to modest fame.
Becoming Bob Ross
It was one of his pupils, a lady named Annette Kowalski, who first saw possibilities for Ross beyond the classroom. Together with her husband, Walt, Ross, and Ross’ wife, a new company, Bob Ross Inc., was created with Bob as the star. In 1982, Ross taped a pilot for a simple show—just him in front of the camera, painting a landscape whilst offering advice. Broadcast on the tiny station, WNVC, in Falls Church, Virginia, dozens of PBS stations were soon eager to sign him up.
Ross eventually went with WIPB in Muncie, Indiana, where his show, The Joy of Painting, ran from 1983 to 1994. With his distinctive permed hairstyle and soft, welcoming voice, Ross was able to create a warm, comforting atmosphere that appealed even to non-artists.
The Original Master
What many people don’t know is that Ross’ techniques and style were not wholly original. Ross had been working as a bartender when he happened upon a television show titled The Magic of Oil Painting, which was hosted by the German painter, William “Bill'” Alexander. Born in Berlin in 1915, Alexander later emigrated to America, where he began hosting shows and writing books on art. He specialized in the alla prima or wet-on-wet technique. Dating back to the 15th century, this approach allowed for a single canvas to be finished in less than half an hour.
Following his retirement from the Air Force, Ross sought out Alexander and studied under him. He even joined Alexander’s company—Alexander Magic Art Supplies—and was acting as a travelling instructor and salesman for this establishment when he first met Annette Kowalski.
A Bitter Rift
Although in the very first episode of The Joy of Painting, Ross fully acknowledged Alexander’s teaching, his rising fame evidently caused friction between the two men. Alexander felt that Ross had leaped to success on the back of his own career. In a 1991 interview, he said of Ross: “He betrayed me.”
Whilst the truth is that neither man can fairly lay claim to have invented the wet-on-wet technique, it’s sad to think that they ended up in animosity. Ross sadly passed in 1995, a year after the final episode of The Joy of Painting was aired.
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Quiz: Can You Name the Winona Ryder Movie From One Character?
The two-time Oscar nominee turns 55 on October 28.
ByAlexandria Ingham|Oct 29, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
Winona Ryder is one of the most famous actresses of her generation. She has starred in a variety of movies over the years, whether you remember her for her standout, heartfelt performance in Edward Scissorhands or when she was dancing away in the air in Beetlejuice. How many performances can you remember, though? We’re going to give you the name of her character, and we want you to match the movie.
Did you get all eight right? If you did, then you are a true Winona Ryder fan. Don’t worry if you missed a few. It’s the perfect time of year to go through her movie history and do a binge-watch.
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The Most Memorable Winona Ryder Performances
While many now know her as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, she’s had a history with the wacky and weird when it comes to movies. Her breakthrough remains one of her most notable roles, when she played Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice in 1988, and she reprised the role in the long-awaited sequel.
In the Tim Burton classic, she played a spiked-haired, camera-toting goth teenager who wasn’t afraid to call it like it was. She brought empathy when it came to the house’s spirits, wanting to help them move on rather than try to scare them away, and it made it clear that she was a star to watch out for.
So, it wasn’t surprising to see her team up with Burton again in 1990, when she played Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands. Within the innocence of her relationship with Edward is a warmth that all the adults could learn from.https://www.youtube.com/embed/9-K2wo6btqM?feature=oembed
However, before she reunited with Burton, there was another 1988 performance that stood out. Everyone remembers Heathers, in which Ryder played Veronica Sawyer. It was a career-defining role, as she took on the conflicts of a teenager who wants to get revenge against popular high school bullies, but she does so in a rather terrifying and permanent way.
Ryder isn’t just good at weird movies, though. In 1990, she also took on the role of Jo March in Little Women, bringing a maturity to the role that surprised many who had known her for the quirkier movies to start. In fact, Little Women would earn her a nomination for Best Actress at the Oscars, making it clear that she was growing into an actress to watch.
Since then, Ryder has brought rebels, outsiders, idealists, and doting moms to life throughout a career that spans almost 40 years.
If you love to test your movie knowledge, make sure you bookmark the Mental Floss quiz page for more challenges.